WHAT WOULD THEY BE ? IF YOU COULD BEG 2 FAVORS FROM GOD, Proverbs 30:7 O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die.
First, help me never to tell a lie Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Proverbs 30:8
January 2009 Character Trait D. Chaney
A Lying Society Dishonesty has become the norm Dishonesty is promoted everywhere Presidents, politicians, parents, pupils, people of all sorts
Doctors say these behaviors are signs that someone is probably lying: when done in clusters Blinking, dilating the pupils Eye contact Speech pauses and changes Self-touching, hand shrugging
Behavioral scientists say there are 4 basic types of lies: To protect someone, to help others To avoid embarrassment To protect yourself from punishment To hurt someone intentionally
Psychologists say children progress through these stages of lying: Avoid punishment Doing right for self-serving reasons Fitting in with others Out of duty Following rules Acting on principles
The Bible is full of verses on the topic Lying Cheat Deceit, deception Dishonesty Falsehood Untruth Fraud
Bible stories and people, involved with lies/dishonesty Adam/Eve Cain/Abel Noah’s generation Abram/Sarai/Lot Isaac/Jacob/Esau Joseph And that’s just Genesis!!!!!!
The real issue is TRUTH! “Jesus said, I am the way, THE TRUTH, and the life.” John 14:6 Jesus was “The Word”. John 1:14 That means there is absolute truth, and absolute right and wrong Absolutes!
Jesus and the Bible Reveal truth Declare truth Teach truth Call us to live the truth Challenge us to walk in truth Correct us when we’re not being truthful
Jesus is 100% truth In him there is no falsehood, lies, deceit, cheating, fraud or dishonesty Over and over in the New Testament, He said, “ I tell you the truth…” (over 80 times)
John 8: Who’s your daddy? I tell you the truth… You are imitating your real father … You are children of your father the devil … You do the evil things he does … He hated the truth, there’s no truth in him… He is a liar, the Father of lies… I’m telling you the truth … Jesus said:
The simple truth is… When we align ourselves with truth, we align ourselves with Jesus When we align ourselves with lies, we align ourselves with the devil Lies – following the devil Truth – following Jesus
Choosing the way of truth Our practiced decisions become habits Choosing truth and honesty develop not just honesty but integrity Integrity is the quality of being 100% morally sound in character We are called to be men and women of integrity – that’s our goal! Job 1 & 2 – complete integrity
3 John 4 “I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.” OR
If you could beg 1 favor from God, what would it be? Help me not to tell a lie, and help me be a person of complete integrity Father, please forgive me…